The 59 Greatest Things To Do In Paris During April 2019

Springtime in Paris can bring April showers, but also days of glorious sunshine. So, come prepared with a parapluie (umbrella) as well as your lunettes (sunglasses). This month's top things to do include performances of Bizet's hit opera, Carmen, plus Mozart's hugely popular The Magic Flute, both at Opera Bastille, as well as Easter events and concerts at Notre Dame Cathedral. Easter falls on April 21, so be sure to check our guide to the Best of Paris for Easter 2019…

Most Popular Activities

Things to Do in Paris April 2019

Experience the best of Paris on this action-packed evening. Start on the Eiffel Tower, for dinner and spectacular views of the city. Then board a bateau to see the lights of Paris from the Seine. Next, it's over to the Moulin Rouge's cabaret show, complete with champagne. Everything's been arranged for you, just sit back and enjoy. Includes hotel pick-up and return.

A cruise along the Seine is pretty near mandatory when visiting Paris, and what better way to do it than an evening dinner cruise? It starts with your driver picking you up from your Paris address. Once aboard the bateau you're served a 3-course meal with wine, watching the city illuminations slowly pass by as you listen to live music. You might also want to read, The Six Top Dinner Cruises in Paris…

The Louvre is always very popular, with long line-ups of people waiting to get in. That's why we always recommend a skip-the-line tour that gets you past the crowds and into the museum. Visit masterpieces of the ancient Greeks, the Italian Renaissance and French emperors. You'll also spend time with the Big Three — Venus, Nike and Mona! Best part? No waiting in the long line. Choose to start your tour in the morning or in the afternoon.

It should be no surprise to learn that this is our personal favorite — a full-evening activity combining three of our top activities — being in Paris, viewing world-famous art with a guide who explains it to us, and wine tasting with an expert sommelier in a popular wine bar. You also get to skip the lines at the Louvre, of course!
→ Likely To Sell Out…

This special package skips the line at two of the most visited attractions in Paris. It also includes a guided tour of Île de la Cité, the island where Notre Dame is located. Not only do you get a guided tour the cathedral, you get to skip the lines at the bell towers, to go directly to the top for a great view. There's more! The tour also includes a 3-hour tour of the Louvre, where you also get to skip the lines. This is a very good deal.

What could make for a better evening in Paris than dining on the Eiffel Tower and then topping it off with a nighttime river cruise? You start out with skip-the-line tickets to get you up the tower to restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel. All in all, you get two stunning views of the City of Light — from up above, on the Tower; and from a bateau cruising along the Seine. Lovely!

That's right, do Paris in one day. This action-packed tour packs a wallop with a combination of Louvre museum tour, Seine River Cruise & lunch on the Eiffel Tower where, from restaurant 58 Tour Eiffel, you can see the city spread beneath you. Aprés lunch, visit the world's most popular cathedral — Notre Dame on Île de la Cité. Everything is included — lunch, entrance fees and river cruise. Also see, The 6 Best Paris City Tours…

Paris has over 2,000 years of history and 2,000 years of mysteries and legends. So, spend an evening with an informative guide exploring the winding streets and hidden alleys of the City of Romance and Intrigue. You'll learn about ghosts, wars, Nazis, and eerie events. Also see, The 10 Best Walking Tours of Paris…

A Paris Insiders Guide Favourite

Can you guess why this is one of our favorite activities? That's right — it pairs Paris with champagne, the perfect combination. All you have to do is sit back and enjoy the scenery. And what a scenery it is! Glide past world-famous monuments while sipping bubbly and discovering that perhaps the best way to see the City of Lights is on a bateau.

Here's how to enjoy an evening out in Paris — see the show at the #1 cabaret in Europe. Take in the amazing spectacle, sipping champagne as you marvel at the costumes, sets and dancers. Truly a night to remember. Also see, 7 Ways To See The Hottest Show in Town…

Paris is lovely in spring, making it the perfect time for a bike ride. But, this is a ride with differences. First, it takes place at night, and you ride down ancient streets, cruising past famous monuments when they are all lit up. But that's not all — after your ride you hop on a river boat for a nighttime cruise on the Seine. A glass of wine is included, of course!

Meet your "gentleman driver" who's there to take you on a retro tour of the city in a sleek, black Citroën Traction Avant. You'll feel like you're in a 1940s movie set Paris as you tour the famous sights. It's fun seeing the city like this. As we say in our review, this is "retro luxury from another era." Also see, Vintage Tour of Paris Full Review…

Relive the history of this historic hilltop quartier through the lives of the famous artists who once lived here. Explore the shops and streets that still buzz with artistic flair. This fun tour focuses on the artists — Van Gogh's house, the windmill cabaret painted by Renoir, the site of Picasso's early studio, and more. Also included is a skip-the-line ticket for Musée d'Orsay. This activity has hundreds of 5-star reviews, so be sure to book early.

There are always long lines at the Eiffel Tower, after all it's the most popular monument in the world. But, there are ways to avoid standing in line for hours. Luckily, we've found quite a few. Since availability and times tend to change regularly, the best way to approach a no-wait ET visit is to check with the Skip the Eiffel Tower Lines link below. Also see, Big List of Eiffel Tower Tours…

One of our most appreciated pieces of advice is to pre-arrange transportation from the airport into central Paris. We find it's comforting to be prepared and to know what's going to happen when you arrive. An easy and affordable transfer is by shuttle van service right to your hotel. Choose from shared or a private vehicle, it's convenient and cheaper than a taxi.

But, wait a minute, here's our very best tip, and a real Insiders Secret — transfer in a private car from the airport. After a long flight we appreciate the comfort of having our Paris pal and professional driver, Manu, meet us at the arrivals gate and whisk us into the city in his luxurious Mercedes S-Class. Honestly, it's the only way to do it! Very highly recommended. Also see, Travelers Praise for Manu's Service…

We love the Left Bank of Paris. Since Hemingway and the Jazz Age, the Left Bank has defined the essence of Paris, and it's the best district in the city to call home. The Saint-Germain neighborhood is charming, and so are the best of the hotels in the quartier. In fact, here are our picks of the top 5 Left Bank hotels — with a couple of bonuses as well!

The Top Day Trips From Paris

Things to Do in Paris April 2019

A Paris Insiders Guide Favourite

Available again now that the warm weather of April is here, this is the day trip to the Loire Valley that visitors love most. Could it be because it includes not only tours of the most impressive castles in the world, but also a guided tasting of the equally-famous Loire Valley wines? This tour, with an expert guide, is an easy day trip from Paris. Available every day in April.

If you're not thirsty, or if you want to concentrate your day on the stunning castles of the region, then opt for this fun day trip from Paris that gets you to the three most important chateaux — Cheverny, Chenonceau and Chambord.

A Paris Insiders Guide Favourite

Your driver gathers you from your Paris hotel and whisks you away on an action-packed day in the Land of Bubbly. Visit champagne estates plus the famous underground caves where thousands of bottles are stored. Drive through the vineyards to the village of Hautvilliers, home of Dom Perignon. You can also opt for a private tour. Available every day except Sunday.

Versailles is a magnificent reminder of the glory of France's royal history, and April is an ideal month to take a trip to see the palace, with the gardens coming in to bloom. But do it the easy & leisurely way — with a guided tour from Paris. Your guide takes you right past the long ticket lines and into the palace and gardens, making the past come alive with stories of those bygone days. Let's not forget the 3-course lunch by the Grand Canal!

If you're more of a sportif sort of traveler, this is the day tour for you. Cycle through the idyllic countryside near Versailles with your guide leading the way. Shop the local markets for picnic supplies and stop for an impromptu lunch in — you guessed it — the gardens of Versailles! Also explore the palace on this VIP skip-the-line day of exploration. Book early, it's likely to sell out.

In April the fabulous gardens of Impressionist painter Claude Monet are back in bloom. Get picked up at your Paris hotel and driven through the lovely French countryside to Giverny, where you visit both Monet's home and his gardens, including the famous Japanese bridge. Best of all, the day also includes a guided visit to the castle and gardens of Versailles. Every day except Mondays.

The landing beaches of Normandy are rightly among the most famous battle sites of World War II, and an important step to the ending of that war. Today the event is remembered with monuments, museums and dedicated cemeteries, as well as a visit to the beaches themselves. Take a day to step back in time on a trip that returns you to Paris the same day. Private tours are also offered. Available every day in April.

Nowadays, high-speed trains and the channel tunnel have made it possible to visit London on a day trip from Paris. What used to seem a dream is now easy! At Gare du Nord in Paris you meet your tour guide and hop on the Eurostar to London. The day includes an extensive, open-top bus tour around London and guided walking tours, including The Beatles London Walking Tour. It's an exhilarating trip that gets you back to Paris the very same day.

10 More Iconic Day Tours from Paris

There's a world of France just outside the gates of Paris and what we've talked about so far are just a few of the most popular day trips. We always tell our friends to set aside a day or two to explore the wonderful things of France within easy reach. We've collected our favorite day trips (and our readers') in a couple of articles.

Classical Music, Opera & Ballet

Things to Do in Paris April 2019

One of our very favorite things to do in Paris is to attend an opera and this April the lineup of stellar operas at Palais Garnier and Opera Bastille include Carmen, Otello, Don Pasquale and The Magic Flute. What a choice! There are also Easter concerts at Notre Dame Cathedral and other spectacular venues. Be sure to check out what will be playing when you're in Paris in spring.

Here's your change to witness Bizet's most performed opera. Set under the blazing Spanish sun, it was first performed in Paris in 1875, where its sultry story line scandalized the first audiences. Georges Bizet died unexpectedly and would never know his opera would achieve international acclaim.
• Opera Bastille
• April 11 to May 23

If you're going to see one opera in your life, make it Otello, in Paris. Music by Verdi, story by Shakespeare, under the baton of Bertrand de Billy. Experience Verdi's masterwork performed in Italian with English surtitles.
• Opera Bastille
• Ends April 7

Donizetti's light‑hearted yet dramatic three-act opera was first performed in Paris in 1843 to great success. Set in Rome, it tells the story of a wealthy bachelor who desires marriage but is deceived by both his nephew and his bride-to-be.
• Opera Bastille
• Ends April 16

This spring be sure to see Mozart's final and hugely popular opera. It's a magical tale, a comedy, a philosophical fable, and a religious mystery. Die Zauberflöte premiered on September 30, 1791 in Vienna, just two months before Mozart's early death at just 35 years old. Performed in German with English surtitles.
• Opera Bastille
• April 27 to June 15, 2019

It's spine-tingling to attend a concert at Notre Dame Cathedral. You're surrounded by nearly a thousand years of history, with light streaming in through majestic Gothic stained-glass windows. Only ticket holders are allowed into the cathedral for these special evening performances that include Bach's Saint Matthew's Passion and an organ recital.

Seeing a performance at this Belle Epoque masterpiece is something you don't want to miss. The architecture and decoration are stunning. This month catch ballet by famed choreographer Pina Bausch and Bartok's opera, Bluebeard's Castle.

Located in the historic Latin Quarter, Eglise Saint-Ephrem is close to the Sorbonne and other historic sites. It's one of the most popular venues for classical music concerts in Paris, including by candlelight performances. In April hear works by Bach, Chopin, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Ravel and Rachmaninoff.

The Top Food & Wine Activities

Things to Do in Paris April 2019

This popular food tour through the Marais is garnering high praise from visitors. Walk through the historic Marais neighborhood with your guide to visit the top food & wine shops, tasting the best of French food like cheese, charcuterie, baguettes, chocolate, and wine. You start your tour at the oldest food market in the city.

You know the ditty about love and marriage? Well, for us it's Paris and chocolate. And when you throw in French pastries, we're in heaven. And that's just where this Paris guided walking tour takes you. Did we mention all the sampling?

Here's an activity where you don't do anything except eat and drink — unless, that is, you want to look out the window at the fabulous monuments of Paris passing by. A cruise down the Seine on a bateau while being served a 3-course gourmet lunch is fun, casual, as well as delicious. Combine fine dining with a tour of Paris… riverside. This lunch cruise is very popular, so book early.

This is a wonderful way to learn about the food of Paris, exploring and tasting your way through fromageries, boulangeries and wine shops in one of the city's most famous neighborhoods. It's a chance to sample traditional French foods and learn about the craftsmanship involved in producing them. Morning tours are in the Latin Quarter, afternoon tours are in Montmartre.

It's amazing that you can dine on great meals up on the Eiffel Tower while you gaze at Paris spread out beneath you. Enjoy a 4-course classic French meal with wine — taking in a birds-eye view of the river Seine below you as well as the Champ de Mars, Les Invalides, Montparnasse Tower, Montmartre. You have priority-access passes that get you past the lines-up and to the elevator that takes you to the restaurant.

You simply cannot come to Paris without tasting French wine. Not allowed. The professional sommeliers on these fun and informal wine tastings cover a lot of wine territory and deliver an extensive tasting of wines in a charming wine bar smack in the center of Paris. We prefer the 2-hour grand cru wine tasting, but we also like the wine tasting + lunch option. Also see, Six Places to Taste Wine in Paris…

Walk with your expert gourmet guide at your side as you taste your way through one of the hottest food neighborhoods in Paris, Aligre. Stop at specialty shops and sample ten of the most iconic foods of France — from baguettes to chocolate to cheese. The fun kicks off in a vibrant market at one of the most popular oyster bars in the city.

The Top Events in Paris

Things to Do in Paris April 2019

The Annual Paris Marathon

April sees the annual Paris Marathon that takes runners from Champs-Elysées near the Arc de Triomphe, to Bois de Vincennes and ending at the Bois du Boulogne. Take a peek at the map to see the complete route. When the Paris marathon began in 1976 it attracted only a small group of dedicated marathoners. Last year 57,000 runners from 145 countries ran the Paris Marathon.
• April 14, 2019
• Information…

Foire de Paris – The Grand Paris Expo

In April, visit the largest home show in Paris — it's been that way for 112 years! Discover the latest French decorating trends. (Who doesn't want in on that one?) More than 3,500 brands in Europe give you a chance to discover all the latest French house and home trends.

Easter In Paris

Art Paris – Art Fair

Art Paris brings together 120 international art galleries representing dozens of artists under the majestic roof of the spectacular Grand Palais. Expect to see a wide range of modern and contemporary art. Since its humble beginnings in 1999, Art Paris now attracts thousands of art lovers from around the world.

What's On at the Museums

Things to Do in Paris April 2019

Calder-Picasso

This exciting exhibition examines the similarities and the differences between these two great 20th-century artists. Alexander Calder and Pablo Picasso changed the way we look at art, and perhaps the world.
• Musée Picasso
• February 19 to 25 August 25, 2019
• Information…